Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of beta-sitosterols (B-sitosterol) on urinary symptoms and flow measures in men with of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). ⋯ The evidence suggests non-glucosidic B-sitosterols improve urinary symptoms and flow measures. Their long term effectiveness, safety and ability to prevent BPH complications are not known.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewCo-ordinated multidisciplinary approaches for inpatient rehabilitation of older patients with proximal femoral fractures.
Hip fracture is a major cause of morbidity in older people and its impact, both on the individual and to society, is substantial. ⋯ The trials reviewed had different aims, interventions and outcomes. As a consequence, results were heterogeneous and the question of effectiveness of different types of co-ordinated inpatient rehabilitation after hip fracture cannot be answered conclusively. There is a trend to effectiveness when combined outcome variables (death and institutional care, death and deterioration in function) are considered. Future trials of postsurgical care involving inpatient rehabilitation, or other models such as 'early supported discharge' and 'hospital at home' schemes, should aim to establish both effectiveness and cost effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation overall, rather than attempt to evaluate its components.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewHolding chambers versus nebulisers for beta-agonist treatment of acute asthma.
In acute asthma inhaled beta-agonists are often administered to relieve bronchospasm by wet nebulisation, but some have argued that metered-dose inhalers with a holding chamber (spacer) can be equally effective. In the community setting nebulisers are more expensive, require a power source and need regular maintenance. ⋯ Metered-dose inhalers with holding chamber produced outcomes that were at least equivalent to nebuliser delivery. Holding chambers may have some advantages compared to nebulisers for children with acute asthma.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewAntiplatelet agents for preventing and treating pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia is associated with deficient intravascular production of prostacyclin, a vasodilator, and excessive production of thromboxane, a platelet-derived vasoconstrictor and stimulant of platelet aggregation. These observations led to the hypotheses that antiplatelet agents, and low dose aspirin in particular, might prevent or delay the development of pre-eclampsia. ⋯ Antiplatelet agents, in this review largely low dose aspirin, have small-moderate benefits when used for prevention of pre-eclampsia. Further information is required to assess which women are most likely to benefit, when treatment should be started, and at what dose.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewAntioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation for preventing age-related macular degeneration.
Some observational studies have suggested that people who eat a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins (carotenoids, vitamins C and E) or minerals (selenium and zinc) may be less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration. ⋯ There is no evidence to date that people without age-related macular degeneration should take antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. The results of five large ongoing trials are awaited.